APO International

 This year’s Hotel Development Pipeline Report, the definitive study of international hospitality development projects in Africa, reveals record activity. There are 577 hotels and resorts, with 104,444 rooms, in the development pipeline, up by 13.3% on 2024, way ahead of the single digit pipeline growth reported globally by the leading international chains. The report, compiled by Lagos-based W Hospitality Group, with data from 50 international and regional hotel chains, shows […]

 The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has appointed the Right Honourable Andrew Mitchell as his Senior Advisor for resource mobilization and policy issues on a pro bono basis. Rt. Hon. Mitchell, whose appointment is effective 7 April 2025, will provide strategic advice on emerging global and regional development issues and high-level political stakeholder engagement. Returning to a previously held role where he provided pro bono advice […]

 As part of the state visit by H.E. President Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, to Egypt, and the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries with H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, yesterday, 9 agreements for concessional financing and grants with France and the European Union were signed. These agreements are aimed at implementing a number of priority projects […]

 Nigeria’s food and agriculture sector is set to enter a new era of industrialization, as the Nigerian government, the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), and the State government of Kaduna kickstart the construction of Phase 1 of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) program.    The groundbreaking ceremony starts in Kaduna on Tuesday, 8 April, where the chief guest, African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina, will join Nigeria’s Vice […]

 Unemployment rates for persons with disabilities persons with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa are among the highest in the world, often exceeding 80% to 90%. Inaccessible infrastructure, societal stigma, and policy shortfalls restrict access to meaningful work. Technology offers a powerful solution, enabling remote work and opening doors to global opportunities. In Ghana the tech sector is valued at around $1 billion and continues to grow. From fintech to agritech, the potential is vast, […]

  Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, in partnership with the First Ladies of African and Asian Countries, announces the 2025 Call for Applications for two Merck Foundation SONG Awards - apply now at submit@merck-foundation.com Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV and/ […]

 Western Africa Division (DPPA-DPO WAD), co -convene consultative session between Permanent Representatives of West African Countries at the UN and Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in New York on the 2nd of April 2025. The session preceded the SRSG‘s briefing, on the 3rd of April 2025, to the Security Council where he […]

 On April 8, commencing at around 5:00 PM for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H. E. Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The overview is as follows: At the outset, Minister Abdelatty explained about the Gaza reconstruction plan led by Egypt, and in response, Minister […]

 On 28 March 2025 the Director of the Regional Integration Coordination Office of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), Joy Kategekwa, received a delegation from the Ombudsmen Association of the member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Led by the association’s president, Pascal Essou, Ombudsman of the Republic of Benin, the meeting took place at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan. The ombudsmen were keen to obtain the […]